title: Antibacterial efficacy of Mangifera indica L. kernel and Ocimum sanctum L. leaves against Enterococcus faecalis dentinal biofilm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in the root canal makes it difficult to be eradicated by the conventional irrigants with no toxicity to the tissues. Hence, plant products with least side effects are explored for their use as irrigants in the root canal therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of Mangifera indica L. kernel (mango kernel) and Ocimum sanctum L. leaves (tulsi) extracts with conventional irrigants (5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 2% chlorhexidine) against E. faecalis dentinal biofilm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Agar diffusion and broth microdilution assay was performed with the herbal extracts and conventional irrigants (2% chlorhexidine and 5% NaOCl) against E. faecalis planktonic cells. The assay was extended onto 3 week E. faecalis dentinal biofilm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant reduction of colony forming units (CFU)/mL was observed for the herbal groups and the antibacterial activity of the herbal groups was at par with 5% NaOCl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antibacterial activity of these herbal extracts is found to be comparable with that of conventional irrigants both on the biofilm and planktonic counterparts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Arunajatesan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Subbiya
authors.forename: Krishnan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahalakshmi
authors.forename: Sivan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pushpangadan
authors.forename: Kesavaram
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Padmavathy
authors.forename: Paramasivam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vivekanandan
authors.forename: Vridhachalam Ganapathy
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Sukumaran
keywords: Antibacterial activity; Enterococcus faecalis biofilm; mango kernel; root canal; tulsi leaves